Easier trade for sheep at Markethill

Cull ewes trade remained very firm and the first sale of breeding sheep returned a very strong trade.

Good quality heavy lambs sold from 600-655p/k for 25.1k at £164.50 from an Armagh farmer, followed by 654p/k for 26k at £170 from a Poyntzpass producer. A Rathfriland farmer received 634p/k for 24.7k at £156.50.

Overweight lambs sold to a top of £184, with several pens from £158-£170 each.

Good quality midweight lambs sold from 600-654p/k for 17 lambs, 23.1k at £151 from a Dungannon producer, followed by 644p/k for 7 lambs, 21.9k at £141 for an Armagh farmer.

A large entry of stores sold readily with good quality light stores from 660-730p/k to a top of 776p/k for 21 lambs, 15.2k at £118 for a Hilltown producer, followed by 736p/k for 14 lambs, 15.5k at £114 from a Hilltown farmer. Stronger stores sold up to720p/k for 17.5k at £126 for a Hilltown producer. A Markethill farmer received 694p/k for 15 lambs, 17k at £118 each.

The 360 cull ewes sold in a firm demand to a top of £262. Well fleshed ewes sold from £160-£230, with second quality from £110-£150 and several pens of thin ewes from £80-£105 each.

The opening sale of breeding hoggets and ewes returned an excellent demand with hoggets selling to a top £375 each from a Tandragee farmer. The same owner received £330, £325 and £320 for pens of hoggets and a Katesbridge farmer sold 7 hoggets at £340 each. Main demand from £240-£320 each.

HEAVY LAMBS

Armagh producer 25.1k £164.50 655p/k. Poyntzpass producer 26k £170 654p/k. Rathfriland produer 24.7k £156.50 634p/k. Markethill producer 25.2k £159 631p/k. Crossmaglen producer 24.7k £155.50 630p/k. Keady producer 24k £150 625p/k. Newry producer 24k £150 625p/k. Armagh producer 25k £156 624p/k. Aghalee producer 24.2k £150 620p/k.

OVERWEIGHT LAMBS

Mowhan producer £184. Keady producer £170. Poyntzpass producer £170. Portadown producer £165. Collone producer £164.50. Poyntzpass producer £162. Markethill producer £159. Pomeroy producer £159.

MIDWEIGHT LAMBS

Dungannon producer 23.1k £151 654p/k. Armagh producer 21.9k £141 644p/k. Loughgall producer 23.2k £148.50 640p/k. Loughgall producer 21.1k £135 640p/k. Poyntzpass producer 21k £134 638p/k. Markethill producer 22.9k £145 633p/k. Ballynahinch producer 23.4k £148 633p/k. Newry producer 23.1k £145 628p/k. Moira producer 22k £138 627p/k. Poyntzpass producer 22.9k £143.50 627p/k.

STORE LAMBS

Hilltown producer 15.2k £118 776p/k. Portadown producer 12k £90 750p/k. Hilltown producer 15.5k £114 736p/k. Kilcoo producer 16.6k £121 729p/k, 16.4k £119 726p/k, 16.5k £119.50 724p/k. Hilltown producer 15.5k £112 723p/k, 17.5k £126 720p/k. Markethill producer 12.4k £88 710p/k.